Andreas Thorud (R), general manager of Nordic Aqua (Ningbo), tests water quality at a land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility for Atlantic salmon in Xiangshan County, Ningbo City of east China's Zhejiang Province, April 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Ziyi)

HANGZHOU, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Catching, slaughtering, packaging, and shipping every day at a land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility for Atlantic salmon in east China's coastal province of Zhejiang, batches of locally raised Atlantic salmon undergo the streamlined process.

The freshest salmon, produced in Gaotang Island Township under Xiangshan County, Ningbo City, can reach dining tables in the Yangtze River Delta within just five hours and be delivered across China within 24 hours.

Atlantic salmon is prized for its tender texture and rich nutrition. Previously, due to lengthy transportation and high preservation costs, Chinese consumers had to wait to enjoy this delicacy.

Now, Atlantic salmon can be cultivated in the waters of the East China Sea, thanks to the vision of a Norwegian company targeting the Chinese market. In 2018, Nordic Aqua (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. was established and gradually introduced Nordic salmon land-based farming projects to Xiangshan.

"Atlantic salmon is delicious and highly favored by Chinese consumers," said Andreas Thorud, general manager of Nordic Aqua (Ningbo). He noted that an increasing number of Chinese consumers now prioritize food quality and nutritional value.

Recognizing the consumption potential of the Chinese market, his company chose to invest deeply in land-based farming to bring this premium ingredient into China.

At the farming facility, robust Atlantic salmon swim vigorously against the current in the tanks, maintaining their vitality. Their origins trace back to eggs imported from Iceland and each batch has genetic certification to ensure breed purity.

After hatching, the fish are transferred to rearing tanks. How do these Nordic-genetic fish adapt to Zhejiang's environment? Thorud explained that water treatment technology is key.

"We employ the world's advanced RAS model: seawater from the East China Sea is purified, cooled to 12-14 degrees Celsius, and adjusted to meet Atlantic salmon's survival conditions before entering the tanks."

Thorud credited the project's smooth operation to strong local government support and the addition of international aquaculture experts, which strengthened the team.

In April 2024, after two years of cultivation, the facility harvested its first batch of mature Atlantic salmon, averaging 5.7 kg each. Market feedback highlighted their freshness and taste.

A Xiangshan county official stated that this batch's survival rate and premium quality rate reached 98 percent, proving the technical feasibility of farming Atlantic salmon in Xiangshan's waters.

"In China, for China. We are very optimistic about the Chinese market and hope to see more Zhejiang-farmed Atlantic salmon on Chinese dining tables soon," said Thorud. The project's first phase is now fully operational, with an annual output of 4,000 tonnes and weekly shipments averaging 70 tonnes. Upon completion of the second and third phases, annual production is expected to reach 20,000 tonnes to meet growing demand.

Data shows that in 2024, Norway's seafood exports to China hit 182,000 tonnes, up 14 percent year on year. China has become Norway's largest seafood market in Asia and its fastest-growing global market.

An official from Zhejiang's marine economy department analyzed that this growth reflects new consumption opportunities in China's vast market. The "settlement" of Nordic Atlantic salmon in Zhejiang will further unlock the potential of China's premium food sector.

"We aim to pioneer land-based RAS Atlantic salmon farming in China and contribute to diversifying the country's aquaculture and marine development channels," Thorud added. ■